Shloka 4
Pitṛ-tīrtha Context: Marks of Sin, Śrāddha Discipline, and Karmic Ripening
in Yayāti’s Narrative
वेदनिंदां प्रकुर्वंति ब्रह्माचारस्य कुत्सनम् । महापातकमेवापि ज्ञातव्यं ज्ञानपंडितैः
vedaniṃdāṃ prakurvaṃti brahmācārasya kutsanam | mahāpātakamevāpi jñātavyaṃ jñānapaṃḍitaiḥ
Sesiapa yang mencela Veda dan mengeji ikrar brahmacarya, hendaklah diketahui oleh para pandita sebagai pelaku mahāpātaka, dosa besar.
Unspecified (narrative voice within Bhūmi-khaṇḍa, Adhyāya 67)
Concept: Reviling the Vedas and censuring brahmacarya constitutes mahāpātaka—grave transgression recognized by the wise.
Application: Guard speech: avoid mocking sacred texts or disciplined vows; cultivate respectful inquiry, and honor those practicing restraint.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A stern, luminous tableau shows a sage-like figure pointing toward a radiant Vedic altar and a student in simple garments holding a staff—symbols of brahmacarya. In the shadows, figures with scornful expressions turn away from the Veda; the air around them darkens, hinting at the weight of mahāpātaka.","primary_figures":["symbolic Veda-personification (as radiant manuscripts)","a brahmacārin student","a dharma-teacher (narrative voice/sage)","shadowy scoffers"],"setting":"Hermitage classroom beside a small yajña-vedi, with sacred manuscripts and a water pot","lighting_mood":"high-contrast divine radiance","color_palette":["flame orange","manuscript gold","charcoal black","ivory white","forest green"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: central Vedic manuscripts and yajña-altar glowing with gold leaf, brahmacārin with staff and deer-skin, teacher in authoritative pose; scoffers rendered at the margins in darker tones; embossed gold borders, rich crimson and emerald textiles, jewel accents on sacred objects.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: a quiet āśrama scene with refined faces; the Veda as a luminous manuscript stack, brahmacārin seated attentively; scoffers outside the hermitage boundary under a darkened tree; delicate brushwork, cool greens with warm altar glow.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines, stylized altar flames, large-eyed teacher figure; strong red/yellow/green palette, scoffers as darker silhouettes at the edge, temple-wall symmetry.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate border of tulip/lotus motifs; central altar and manuscript medallion; brahmacārin and teacher mirrored; peripheral band shows ‘nindā’ figures in muted tones; deep blue background with gold highlights."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"dramatic","suggested_raga":"Durga","pace":"fast-dramatic","voice_tone":"authoritative","sound_elements":["sharp bell strike","brief conch","crackling fire","sudden silence"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: वेदनिंदाम् = वेदनिन्दाम् (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष); प्रकुर्वंति→प्रकुर्वन्ति; महापातकमेवापि = महापातकम् + एव + अपि; ज्ञानपंडितैः→ज्ञानपण्डितैः
FAQs
It teaches restraint in speech and reverence toward foundational dharmic authorities—reviling the Vedas and disparaging brahmacarya are treated as grave moral offenses.
Mahāpātaka denotes a ‘great’ or ‘heinous’ transgression—an especially serious sin in dharma literature—here applied to Veda-reviling and condemning brahmacarya.
Brahmacarya represents disciplined conduct (especially the student-vow and self-restraint) that supports learning, purity, and spiritual progress; denigrating it is presented as undermining dharmic life.